Liquid shaving composition



. ing skin blemishes.

United States Patent 3,072,535 LIQUID SHAVING COMPOSITION Albert J. Mueller, Princeton, NJ. (1011 Manor Drive, Wilmette, Ill.) No Drawing. Filed Oct. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 770,021 4 Claims. (Cl. 16785) This invention relates to. a novel and unique liquid shaving composition and more particularly to a liquid shaving aid possessing improved properties and characteristics as compared with conventional shaving lather, foam or cream compositions.

. Heretofore there has been a continuing effort to improve on the art of shaving, particularly to improve the convenience, comfort, speed, efficiency and facility of the shaving act. There still remains a constant demand for further improvements. Some of the improvements in the past have been accomplished by inventions relating to the devices used for shaving, such as safety-razors and mechanical dry-shavers. Other improvements have been ice film on the skin (for accurate shaving) and that it is rapidly wetted by cold water (for rinsing of the razor or the skin, if desired). The natural gums, other synthetic gums, resins, latices, starches or other protein gelformers generally used as thickeners in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations are not suitable for my purposes since they create either sticky or watery conditions directed to various preparations for the skin, such as special soaps, foams, creams, pre-shaving lotions, aftershaving lotions etc. However, insofar as I am aware, no one heretofore has produced a liquid shaving composition having all of the desirable novel and advantageous features characteristic of my invention which is described in detail below.

An object of this invention is to provide a liquid shaving composition that, in addition to possessing the desirable properties of prior art compositions, is characterized by being a clear, non-foaming, non-greasy liquid that permits eflioient, comfortable shaving without the use of any water, or, if desired, with the use of cold water only. That the liquid be substantially clear is a prerequisite in order to insure a transparent film on the skin; this transparency permits shaving to exact hair lines and to avoid- With this liquid shaving composition no pre-washing of the skin is necessary and no afterwashing of the skin is necessary, factors which result in faster shaving than by any conventional procedure. Another object is to provide a novel liquid shaving composition which will permit a complete shave without rinsing the razor. On the other hand, if rinsing should be desired, cold water will speedily rinse the face and the razor. Another object is to provide a novel liquid shaving composition which will have softening, skinfconditioning, cleansing, germicidal and cooling properties and will leave a protective, soothing film on the skin after shaving. The liquid shaving composition of my invention will provide an ideal shave for everyone, but will be particularly advantageous for travellers, salesmen,

campers, servicemen and others who may not have access to modern laving facilities; it has been found superior for shaving womens legs.

Briefly summarized, the essential components of my liquid shaving composition comprise a specified cellulose derivative and a specified lanolin derivative in aqueous solution. While these components are essential to my novel composition, other ingredients are advantageously included. For example, my preferred components in the (2) partially acetylated ethylene oxide derivative of lano- In the liquid shaving composition of my invention, the

.prime function of the cellulose derivative is to provide superior lubrication for the shaving blade. Its secondary functions are that it acts as an efficient thickening agent (providing the body in the solution to hold the hair erect),

that it forms (with the other ingredients) a transparent in the solution rather than lubrication or they make it cloudy or opaque. It Was discovered that the cellulose derivative class of thickening agents alone provided the primary lubrication function as well as being acceptably adjunctive to all of the secondary functions stated above.

Suitable cellulose derivatives for use in my liquid shaving composition are as follows: (a) Sodium carboxyrnethylce'llulose, the product of the reaction between an alkali cellulose and monochloracetic acid. It is also known as sodium cellulose glycolate. A product of this type is marketed by the Hercules Powder Company under the trade names Hercules Cellulose Gum and CMC. Depending on the degree of polymerization of the cellulose and the kind and amount of substitution, the viscosity characteristic of the sodium carboxymethylcellulose may vary widely. Thus there are many grades available and 2 percent aqueous solutions of the various grades will vary in viscosity from 10 to 100,000 centipoises at 25 C.; or, stated differently, for a solution of centipoises the percent of solids in the solution may vary from 0.3 percent for a high viscosity grade (for example, Hercu-les Cl\ IC-7H) to 4.0 percent for a low viscosity grade (for example, Hercules CMC-7A); Any of the grades 'of sodium carboxymethylcellulose is suitable for use in my novel liquid shaving composition, but the higher viscosity grades are preferred in order to keep the solids content to a minimum and at the same time be in suflicient quantity to provide satisfactory lubrication. Thus, using the high viscosity grade Hercules CMC-7H, a minimum concentration of 0.1 percent in the liquid shaving composition is required. Minimum concentrations of the other grades would be the corresponding amounts to provide equivalent viscosity in the liquid shaving composition. The maximum quantity ofsodium carboxymethylcellulose acceptable in my liquid shaving composition is governed by the body and viscosity obtained, viz., the body of the liquid shaving composition should be such as to form a definite observable wet film on the skin that does not run on the surface not yet form a thick jelly-like mass; the viscosity of the liquid shaving composition should be in the range 20 to 500 centipoises at 25 C., with the preferred viscosity range being 30 to centipoises at 25 C. Using Hercules CMC-7H, the maximum concentration desired in the liquid shaving composition is 0.8 percent. Maximum concentrationsof the other grades would be the corresponding amounts to provide equivalent viscosity in the liquid shaving composition. (b) Cellulose methyl ether, the product of the reaction between an alkali cellulose and methyl chloride. It is also known as methyl cellulose. A product of this type is marketed by the Dow Chemical Company under the trade name Methocel. As with sodium carboxyrnethy-lcellulose and for the same reasons, there are many viscosity grades of methyl cellulose available, and for an aqueous solution of 100 centipoises at 20 C. the percent of solids in solution may vary from 0.5 percent for a high viscosity grade (for example, Methocel, 4000 cps) to 6.0 percent for a low viscosity grade (for example, Methocel, 10 cps.). Any grade of methyl cellulose is suitable for use in my novel liquid shaving composition, with the higher viscosity grades preferred. Using the Methocel, 4000 cps. grade, a minimum of 0.2 percent is required and a maximum of 1.2 percent desired in my liquid shaving composition. Corresponding concentra tions of the other grades of methyl cellulose are those that provide equivalent viscosity in the liquid shaving composition. It is important that when a methyl cellulose grade is used as a lubricant and thickener in my liquid shaving composition it is necessary to add a few drops of an alkaline reagent such as triethanolamine or sodium hydroxide solution to the liquid shaving composition to bring the pH above 7.0 in order to insure clarity in the solution.

The lanolin derivative, mentioned above as the second essential component of my novel liquid shaving composition, is specifically a type that is soluble in water, forming a colloidal solution. its prime function is as a solubilizer for the other components of the composition. Secondary functions are that it maintains clarity in the solution, that it performs as an emollient, that it conditions the skin, that it has detergent properties, that it is easily rinsed with cold water, that it is non-corrosive to razor parts and that it is compatible with the natural oils and moisture of the skin and hair for thorough wetting and adherence without being irritating to the skin.

Suitable lanolin derivatives for use in my liquid shaving composition are as follows: (a) A partially-acetylated ethylene oxide derivative of lanolin alcohols and hydroxyesters containing 11 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of lanolin alcohol and hydroxyester. By the immediately preceding sentence, I mean a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which approximately one-half of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 11 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol and of hydroxyester. An example of this product is a clear water-soluble liquid obtainable from American Cholesterol Products Inc., under the trade name Solulan 98, (b) an essentially completely acetylated ethylene oxide derivative of lanolin alcohols and hydroxy esters containing 9 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of lanolin alcohol and hydroxyester. By the immediately preceding sentence, I mean a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which essentially all of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 9 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol and of hydroxyester. An example of this product is a clear water-soluble liquid obtainable from American Cholesterol Products Inc., under the trade name Solulan 97, (c) a lanolin ether derivative made by reacting ethylene oxide with lanolin alcohols, 16 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide being added per mol of lanolin alcohol. By the immediately preceding sentence,,I mean a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols, in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 16 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide per mol'of alcohol. Examples of these ethers are available as special products from American Cholesterol Products Inc.

All of the above-mentioned lanolin derivative products are excellent solubilizers for at least 11 percent of their weight of lanolin itself, which is desired as a component in a preferred embodiment of my liquid shaving composition. They form clear, slightly opalescent solutions with the cellulose derivatives specified and to some degree have emollient, conditioning and detergent properties. They also satisfy the other secondary functions mentioned above. The minimum amount of specified lanolin derivative required in my liquid shaving composition is 2 percent by weight and the maximum amount desired is 40 percent by weight. In the preferred embodiment of my composition, the concentration of the lanolin derivative is in the range percent to 15 percent by weight.

Whereas the above-described liquid shaving composition containing cellulose derivative and lanolin derivative constitutes a novel, useful and improved shaving composition, an advantageous modification of this solution is the incorporation of lanolin itself. While the lanolin derivatives specified above have emollient and skin conditioning properties to some degree, lanolin itself isrichly en'- dowed with these properties. Thus, by including lanolin in the composition the emollient and skin conditioning properties of my liquid shaving composition are fortified and improved. Lanolin, U.S.P., is the preferred grade of lanolin for use in my liquid shaving composition. The amount of lanolin component used in my liquid shaving composition may be varied widely within the range of its complete solubility in the composition, however, in order to obtain the maximum emollient and skin conditioning effects from its use, the preferred amount is the maximum quantity that will be totally dissolved and result in a clear solution. The maximum quantity of lanolin which will totally dissolve in any of the above-specified lanolin derivatives and still result in a clear solution suitbale for my liquid shaving composition does not exceed 18 percent by weight of the solution.

Another important and advantageous modification of the liquid shaving composition containing the specified cellulose derivative and lanolin derivative, and also containing lanolin if desired, is the inclusion of an agent to act as a preservative for the composition and to provide an antiseptic environment both during its use and also in a thin film of the liquid composition that may be left on the skin after shaving. A component of this type is common in the cosmetic industry and many compounds are suitable for this purpose such as chlorinated phenols, hydroxyquinoline, phenol, thymol, hexachlorophene and many proprietary products. While any of these materials would be suitable, when compatible, in my liquid shaving composition, the preferred material is di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride monohydrate. A product of this type is marketed by the Rohm and Haas Company under the trade name Hyamine 1622. This germicide is preferred because, in addition to its desirable properties of solubility in water, compatibility, activity, low toxicity, and persistence, it has deodorizing, keratoplastic and detergent properties which fortify those properties already present in the liquid shaving composition. In the preferred embodiment of my composition the concentration of this material is from 0.1 percent to 1.0 percent by Weight of the liquid shaving composition.

My liquid shaving composition is applied to the skin by patting or rubbing on with the hand or fingers, or, preferably, applied by rolling on with a mechanical roller or spraying on from a pressurized container. In spraying from a pressurized container, a two-phase propellant system (for example, a pressurized nitrogen type) is preferred over a three-phase system (Freon type) in order to overcome the foaming tendency and the undesirable skin-cool ing effects of the latter. In the two-phase system it is usually necessary to modify the somewhat stringy nature of the liquid shaving composition to provide an easy breakup of the liquid into fine droplets and this is accomplished by the inclusion in the composition of a component selected from the group (a) ethyl alcohol, (b) propyl alcohol, (0) ethylene glycol, (d) propylene glycol, (e) glycerine, (f) a monosaccharide, (g) a disaccharide, or (h) sorbitol. Additions of any of these materials in amounts in the range of one-half to double the total amount of the other non-aqueous components present in the liquid shaving composition beneficially alter the surface and flow characteristics of the composition without creating other deleterious effects. The preferred material to be added is selected from the group ethylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, since these materials act not only as surface and flow modifiers but also as humectants, providing long-lasting wetness to a film of the shaving composition on the skin.

While it is to be understood that the various components of my liquid shaving composition as described above result in a shaving composition meeting my objectives, it might be desirable for the sales appeal of the product to add minute amounts (less than 0.5 percent) of other components to provide further color, taste, fragrance, astringency or cooling effects. Any of the compatible coloring and taste improvers used in the food or cosmetic industries are effective agents for modification of these properties. The odor may be masked or modified -by using a material such as terpineol or any of the compatible natural or synthetic essential oils or essences available to the food or cosmetic industries. Astringency is obtained with alum, zinc phenol sulphate or other compatible commonly used astringents. A cooling efiect is obtained with minute amounts of menthol.

EXAMPLE 1 A series of shaving tests was carried out using samples of my novel liquid shaving composition containing various proportions of the essential components and the preferred embodiments. A selection of samples used in these tests is shown in Table I.

Table I SELECTED SAMPLES OF LIQUID Sl-IAVING COMPOSITION USED IN SHAVING TESTS Sample No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Components Weight percent of components OMC-7Ff 0.5 0.6 0.5 0. 4 0. 27 OMC, Low V 2.9 Methocel, 25 cp 1. 2 Solulan 98 9.2 7.2 5.4 2. 7 4 Solulan 97 10. 3 6. 87 Lnnolin U.S.P 0.8 0.6 0. 3 0. 0. 52 0.5 Hyamine 169? 0. 3 0. 1 0. Hexachlorophene 0 0. 13 Sucrose- 10.0 5.0 15.0 Sorb l 10. 9 Men 0. 005 0. 01 Water 90.3 90. 8 83.1 91. 4 88. 3 77. 2 81. 2 Approx. Vise. cps 40 30 60 50 50 40 90 1 Made to approx. 7.5 pH with triethanolamlne.

The shaving tests were made with and without a preliminary washing or rinsing of the face with water, also with and without washing or rinsing the face after shaving. In all cases a test was included wherein the razor was not rinsed before shaving or during shaving. The liquid shaving composition was usually applied to the skin by patting or rubbing on with the fingers, however in sample No. 3 testing additional applications were made by spraying directly onto the face from a pressurized container (nitrogen propellant at 100 p.s.i.'g.) and also by rolling onto the face with a smooth plastic roller.

The observed results of the shaving tests showed only minor variations in degree of properties for all of the above samples. In all tests, application was smooth and rapid and resulted in an even surface that was non-oily, non-greasy, non-foaming, bland and unctuous to feel, welladhering, neutral and non-irritating to cuts or sensitive tissues. The shaving liquid composition formed a clear transparent film that permitted viewing individual hairs for accurate cutting around moustache, sores and blemishes. It softened the hair and skin, lubricated the blade throughout the shave, held up the hairs and permitted a clean close shave with negligible razor pull. After shaving the skin rinsed cleanly and rapidly and felt fresh and without razor burn. It was particularly noted that when shaving without preliminary washing or rinsing and without rinsing after shaving, the skin felt soft, fresh and 'without significant razor burn. Special convenience was appreciated under the condition of no rinsing after shaving since protection of clothing was not necessary. A protective film of the liquid shaving composition, when applied to the skin after shaving, felt soothing. The cooling effect of the menthol in sample No. 4 was noted. No massive accumulation built up on the razor and the razor was rapidly rinsed clean with cold water. Shaving was very fast since no preliminary or after-shaving washing or rinsing was necessary and since no rinsing of the razor during shaving was required. Spray application and roller application were particularly convenient'and attractive since no annoying and messy shaving medium touched the hands as is the case with normal manual methods of application. In regular usage the liquid shaving composition did not exhibit corrosion tendencies for the razor parts and it was found to be stable over a wide range of temperature.

While the preferred embodiments of my invention have been described, it is to be understood that minor changes may be made in my novel liquid shaving composition without'departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims. I

I claim:

1. A liquid shaving composition comprising an aqueous solution of a material selected from a group consisting of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose methyl ether and a material selected from a group consisting of a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which approximately one-half of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 11 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol and of hydroxyester, a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which essentially all of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 9 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol and of hydroxyester, a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols, in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 16 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol, the materials being present in the relative amounts such that the material from the group consisting of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose methyl ether is present from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by Weight and that the material from the group consisting of lanolin fraction derivatives is present from about 2 percent to about 40 percent by weight, and also such that the composition is a clear slightly opalescent solution having a viscosity in the range 20 to 500' centipoises at 25 C.

2. A liquid shaving composition comprising an aqueous solution of a material selected from a group consisting of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose methyl ether and a material selected from a group consisting of a. fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which approximately one-half of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 11 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol and of hydroxyester, a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which essentially all of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 9 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol and of hydroxyetster, a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 16 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol, and also including anhydrous lanolin in an amount selected in the range 1 to 18 percent of the amount of lanolin derivative present, the materials being present in the relative amounts such that the material from the group consisting of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose methyl ether is present from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight and that the material from the group consisting of lanolin fraction derivatives is present from about 2 percent to about 40 percent by weight, and also such that the composition is a clear slightly opalescent solution having a viscosity in the range 20 to 500 centipoises at 25 C.

3. A liquid shaving composition comprising an aqueous solution of a material selected from a group consisting of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose methyl ether and a material selected from a group consisting of a fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which approximately one-half of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 11 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol and of hydroxyester, a

fraction of lanolin comprising essentially only the alcohols and hydroxyesters in which essentially all of the free hydroxyls have been acetylated and in which polyoxyethylene is present to the extent of 16 to 20 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol, and also including a material selected from a group consisting of ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, a monosaccharide, a disaccharide and sorbitol in an amount in the range one-half to double the total amount of the other non-aqueous components of the solution, the materials being present in relative amounts such that the material from the group consisting of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose methyl ester is present from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,085,733 Bird July 6, 1937 2,833,693 Naimark May 6, 1958 2,840,509 Kass June 24, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Barnett: Drug and Cosmetic Ind., 80: May 1957,

10 pages 610-612, 699-703, 744-745, 845-853.

weight and that the material from the group consisting 443-449 of lanolin fraction derivatives is present from about 2 percent to about 40 percent by weight, and also such that the composition is a clear slightly opalescent solution having a viscosity in the range to 500 centipoises at C.

4. The liquid of claim 3 in which is included anhydrous lanolin in an amount selected in the range 1 to 18 percent of the amount of lanolin derivative present.

Harry: Modern Cosmeticology, Leonard Hill, Ltd., London, 1955, 4th ed., pages 180, 225, 410.

Atlas Guide to the Use of Sorbitol and Surfactants in Cosmetics, Atlas Powder Co., Wilmington, Del., 1956,

20 pages 17 and 22. 

1. A LIQUID SHAVING COMPOSITION COMPRISING AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF A MATERIAL SELECTED FROM A GROUP CONSISTING OF SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND CELLULOSE METHYL ETHER AND A MATERIAL SELECTTED FROM A GROUP CONSISTING OF A FRACTION OF LANOLIN COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY ONLY THE ALCOHOLS AND HYDROXYESTERS IN WHICH APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF OF THE FREE HYDROXYLS HAVE BEEN ACETYLATED AND IN WHICH POLYOXYETHYLENE IS PRESENT TO THE EXTENT OF 11 MOLS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE PER MOL AND ALCOHOL AND OF HYDROXYESTER, A FRACTION OF LANOLIN COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY ONLY THE ALCOHOLS AND HYDROXYESTERS IN WHICH ESSENTIALLY ALL OF THE FREE HYDROXYLS HAVE BEEN ACETYLATED AND IN WHICH POLYOXYETHYLENE IS PRESENT TO THE EXTENT OF 9 MOLS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE PER MOL OF ALCOHOL AND OF HYDROXYESTER, A FRACTION OF LANOLIN COMPRISING ESSENTIALLY ONLY THE ALCOHOLS, IN WHICH POLYOXYETHYLENE IS PRESENT TO THE EXTENT OF 16 TO 20 MOLS OF ETHYLENE OXIDE PER MOL OF ALCOHOL, THE MATERIALS BEING PRESENT IN THE RELATIVE AMOUNTS SUCH THAT THE MATERIAL FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE A D CELLULOSE METHYL ETHER IS PRESENT FROM ABOUT 0.2 PERCENT TO ABOUT 10 PERCENT BY WEIGHT AND THAT THE MATERIAL FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF LANOLIN FRACTION DERIVATIVES IS PRESENT FROM ABOUT 2 PERCENT TO ABOUT 40 PERCENT BY WEIGHT, AND ALSO SUCH THAT THE COMPOSITION IS A CLEAR SLIGHTLY OPALESCENT SOLUTION HAVING A VICOSITY IN THE RANGE 20 TO 500 CENTIPOISES AT 25*C. 